The type collection, Debreczy et al. DAPC 40323 (holotype BP, isotypes A, E, K, MEXU) was gathered 4.5 km N of the village of Metepec. The number of resin ducts in the leaves, given as 5-7 in the protologue, is highly unusual in the genus, but A. hickelii has 4-12. Abies hidalgensis may only be a variety of A. hickelii with included bracts in the seed cones. It is only known from the type locality.

More research is needed to establish beyond doubt the taxonomic distinctiveness, the approximate size of the population, and the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy. On the basis of what is known, 15+ years after its discovery, an assessment of Vulnerable under D2 reflects the fact that it is only known from a single locality with a small population that could be vulnerable to stochastic events.

This species was described and named as new in 1995 from a single location in Hidalgo, Mexico. Its distribution beyond the type locality remains unknown and no subsequent collections have been assigned to this new species.

No current threats have been identified but if this taxon does stand up to taxonomic scrutiny and if it remains only known from one location, as at present, stochastic events such as a major fire could put the species at extreme risk.